Shoplifting on the rise in Danbury, across country

Published 1:00 am, Tuesday, December 23, 2008

DANBURY -- Like communities across the country, Danbury is seeing an increase in the number of people charged with shoplifting.

"I'd say we're up anywhere from 15 to 20 percent," said Lt.
Tom Michael
of the Danbury Police Department.

The New York Times published a story Tuesday about police departments across the United States saying they are experiencing a similar increase.

Two of the nation's largest retail associations say that more than 80 percent of their members are reporting sharp increases in shoplifting, according to the Times.

Danbury police have charged about 90 people with shoplifting since October. That's up from the same period last year, when about 70 people were charged, Michael said.

Sixth-degree larceny is the most common charge lodged against suspects. It involves the theft of items with a value of less than $250.

While shoplifting has always been common, this year retail experts said the recession is making matters worse.

The Danbury Fair mall, the area's largest retail location, is obviously an attractive spot for shoplifters. The mall would not say whether more people are shoplifting this holiday season than last year.

"For obvious reasons, Danbury Fair does not disclose specifics about its security measures,"
Melissa Eigen
, the mall's marketing manager, said in an e-mail.

"However, we can tell you that we have a thorough security program in place at Danbury Fair, and we work closely with our local law enforcement agencies to address specific issues related to our customers' safety."

The mall employs at least two Danbury police officers to patrol the mall during the holiday season, police said. The mall pays for the extra security, not taxpayers.

The manager of a Danbury thrift store said he's noticed a steep increase in shoplifting recently. He did not want to give his name, because he is not supposed to talk to the media.

The people shoplifting are not necessarily out of work or victims of the poor economy, he said.

"We've seen an increase since November. They come in and take stuff, particularly ladies. They'll take a purse, stuff it with clothes and then say it was theirs."

Mark Ostad owns
Dollar Max
on White Street and said he wasn't surprised to hear more people in Danbury are being charged with shoplifting. People often open merchandise and slip it into their pockets. He constantly finds opened, empty boxes hidden behind merchandise inside his store.

"I hope they arrest the whole damned slew of them, so they don't come back around," Ostad said. "It's very hard to catch these guys. Anybody who has the intention of stealing something, believe me, they find a way to steal it."